Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Lancaster, PA
Doctors and other healthcare providers owe a duty of care to every patient they treat. Although the scope of that duty may vary depending on the circumstances, medical professionals are required to deliver care that meets or exceeds the generally accepted standard in their field. When they fail to deliver that standard, you may have a medical malpractice claim. Our lawyers at Mette Law have over five decades of experience serving patients and families harmed by medical negligence throughout the Commonwealth.
Medical Malpractice Cases We Represent
Our legal team approaches these cases with the seriousness they deserve, focusing on thorough preparation and honest communication. The cases our medical malpractice lawyers in Lancaster handle include the following:
- Surgical mistakes and wrong-site surgeries
- Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis of cancer, stroke, or heart attack
- Birth injuries and obstetric negligence
- Anesthesia errors and complications
- Medication and prescription errors
- Hospital-acquired infections
- Failure to obtain informed consent
- Emergency room mistakes
Potential Harm Due to Medical Negligence
Injuries resulting from medical negligence can leave long-term physical and emotional effects. Patients may experience permanent injury or a condition that progresses to a life-threatening stage due to delayed diagnosis. Psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress often occur alongside these injuries and are an important part of evaluating any legal claim.
Damages Available for Medical Malpractice
Pennsylvania law allows injured patients and their families to recover several categories of compensation designed to address measurable financial losses and deeply personal suffering. You may potentially recover:
- Economic Damages: Past and future medical bills, income losses, reduced earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and out-of-pocket expenses tied directly to the injury.
- Non-Economic Damages: Physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and harm to close family relationships.
- Punitive Damages: Additional compensation awarded in rare cases involving willful or reckless misconduct by the healthcare provider.
What Makes Claims Complex?
Malpractice claims filed in the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas must have a certificate of merit from a qualified medical expert within sixty days of filing the complaint. Compliance with this rule, combined with strict evidentiary standards and well-funded defense teams representing hospitals such as Lancaster General Hospital, makes strong legal representation a practical necessity.
Deadline for Filing Claims
Pennsylvania generally imposes a two-year statute of limitations on medical malpractice lawsuits, measured from the date your injury was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. Failing to file within that window typically bars recovery of compensation, regardless of the strength of the underlying evidence.
Reach Out to a Reputable Attorney
The longer a potential claim sits unaddressed, the harder it becomes to gather the records, witnesses, and expert opinions needed to build a winning case. Our attorneys have a proven track record of holding negligent providers accountable and securing meaningful recoveries for the families we represent. Call Mette Attorneys at Law at 717-232-5000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a medical malpractice lawyer in Lancaster today.